A Fun Day of Quilting with Mom

We had such a good day today at Trevathan's open sew.  Mom finished this quilt top for a baby quilt and we even basted it for quilting. 

I worked on a bag for buddy's first grade teacher.  I just loved how it came out.  It is Marcus fabrics for those of you fabric-holics out there.  And the pattern is Whimsy Bag by Lazy Girl Designs for all of you pattern junkies!!!

I also finished a set of 3 pouches, again another pattern by Lazy Girl Designs, for another Christmas present.  The fabric is Amy Butler. 

I felt like I had a really productive day.  Aren't those the best kind?  What has been keeping you busy?

I am having a bit of a giveaway for my loyal readers.  Leave a comment on this post to be entered in the giveaway for these 6 fat quarters of Bliss. 

Even if you normally do not comment, please enter yourself in the giveaway.  As a bonus, anyone who already left a comment on my 3 most recent posts (entitled:  Saturday sewing report, coupon clutch cuties, finished table topper) will receive an extra entry (for each comment) just for your kindness.  Please do not blog about the giveaway; I am just thanking my readers who stick with me, even when I do not post as much as I'd like to. 

I will close the giveaway in 1 week.

Finished Table Topper

Sorry!  I have been meaning to post this for a few days now.  I put on the scrappy border that everyone voted on, I am so glad I did!  It is is all quilted and I finished the binding.

Coupon Clutch Cuties

It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas....or at least I am getting a few smaller projects done that are meant to gift.  Some great ladies that I work with really liked my coupon clutch I made myself a while back, so they are getting their very own.....

Cute, right?

In even brighter news, Cath Kidston now has a US catalog and she is offering a special offer right now for free shipping on orders $100 over until December 10th;  Offer code USFP.  Everything still ships from England so free shipping is a huge offer!

Saturday Sewing Report

So, I did manage a bit of sewing on Saturday.  I have a couple of finished items to show and then a couple of things that just need finishing.

First, I personalized and sewed a very cute snowman pillowcase for a friend of ours who has a December birthday.  Of course, I wasn't pleased with that puckering around the embroidery...any tips?  I had a tear away stabilizer on the backside.  This photo makes it look red, but it is a very cheery, bright pink.

Then, I finished the binding on this table runner.  I am quite pleased with this.

Sorry no pictures, but I did manage to get that scrappy border on that square table topper, quilted it, and sewed the binding on the top.  I hope to get the hand-work done this week to show you.  I was very pleased with it.  Also, I cute out the pieces for 2 coupon clutches that I want to make.  I hope to do a bit of sewing on those today perhaps.

Have I mentioned that I am done Christmas shopping?  Yessirree!

It's HERE!

My GO! fabric cutter arrived today with 4 dies and mat sizes.  I hope to be able to play with a bit this weekend.  :)

Wheel Baby Quilt...actually quilted

So, I finished quilting this over the weekend at mom's house.  She is going to hand tack the binding down.  I think I will like that brown plaid binding when it is done.  I love the back material.

Vintage Hankies and Kate Spain...could the world be any better?

On Saturday, my mom, our friend Judy, and I went to a Hanky quilt class.  It was just the 3 of us, and we had a very helpful teacher.  It was a great class and there were a lot of choices to choose from when making a quilt.  I had some vintage Christmas hankies from my grandma's house that I wanted to use.  They were pretty special to me and they really coordinated well with Kate Spain's 12 Days of Christmas. 

We were there from 10 - 4:30.  I almost had my quilt top done by the end of that because I made it smaller than the pattern called for.  I just wanted a wall hanging.  Now I just need to quilt it.  LOL.  Throw it on the pile, right? 

The shoppe had just expanded and added the most beautiful sewing space for classes with an attached kitchen, just perfect.  I wish I would have remembered my camera, of course. 

November and December Projects

Is it really time to post new goals?  Hmm.  Seems I am running out of time...I must get some Christmas projects done.

1.  a bag for buddy's teacher
2.  I must quilt/bind a table topper
3.  2 coupon clutches
4.  I'd love to get my ME Santa quilt quilted
5.  quilt that Wheels baby quilt and bind!!!

Charming Girls Holiday Traditions

OOPSIE-  I had to correct the recipe...sorry I forgot the eggs!

Kelly asked us to share on the theme:  Holiday Traditions. 

Food seems to be a pretty big holiday tradition in my family.  I love to bake.  Often when I am stressed, I head to the kitchen.  :)  Obviously, my husband doesn't mind to see me frazzled.  LOL. 

This is a recipe passed to me by a friend, that is always a hit in the fall: 

PUMPKIN CAKE

Cake Ingredients:
4 eggs
1 c Crisco
2 c sugar
2 c flour
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 c canned pumpkin

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Mix your eggs, crisco, sugar, and flour.  Add cinnamon, soda, and salt, and then fold in your pumpkin.  Pour into a greased and floured bundt pan. Bake for 55 minutes and allow to cool.

Frosting Ingredients: 
1 lb confectioners sugar
2 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 stick margarine, softened
1 tsp vanilla

Beat cream cheese, margarine, and vanilla together until creamy.  Add sugar.  If frosting is too stiff, add small amount of milk until desired consistency.  Frost cooled cake.  Refrigerate.
********

Now my dad and husband really like this pumpkin cake roll that my mom makes. 

PUMPKIN  CAKE ROLL

Beat 3 eggs on high speed of mixer for 5 minutes; gradually beat in 1 c of granulated sugar.  Stir in 2/3 c of pumpkin and 1 tsp of lemon juice.  Separately, stir together 3/4 c of flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp of cinnamon, 1 tsp of ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, and a 1/2 tsp of salt.  Gently fold into the pumpkin.  Spread in a greased and floured 15 X 10 X 1 pan.  Top with 1 c finely chopped walnuts.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.  Turn out on a kitchen towel sprinkled with powdered sugar.  Starting at one end, roll towel and cake together into a log to cool.  When cool, unroll.  For filling, combine 1 c powdered sugar, two 3-ounce packages cream cheese, 4 TBSP butter or margarine, and 1/2 tsp vanilla.  Beat until smooth.  Spread over cake, and re-roll.  Refrigerate.


Enjoy....